LOOKING TO BUY A GPS??????

[hunterfisher]

I am sure this topic has been covered here before or in the hunting forum i am looking for a GPS that I can use for hunting so i would like topo maps and be able to load or have lake maps available (ie Mille Lacs)also. I do not have any experience with these I have always just got a LAKE MAP brand map of the lake and went out hunting around in areas that i wanted to fish. this is a lot harder on large lakes. I would like to find something hand held so it can easily be used for hunting. Last but not least, I didn't just win the lottery so price is important. Can i get something like this for around $350-400 or am I dreaming?????

Thanks for any info you might have.

[bloc004]

The lowrance H20c can be used for both and will be great for fishing and depth maps. I use a garmin legend hcx because I like the size and it gets the job done for me. I have my spots marked ahead of time.

[TruthWalleyes]

GPS's are great, if you hunt and fish as much as i do you'll never regret spending money on a gps. I have the Lowrance H20. Love it. Bought the unit for 145 on [YouNeedAuthorization], and got the lake map chip for minnesota in cabelas bargin cave for $70.

Water levels are not completely correct, but i don't think you'll find a set of maps that are absolutley right.

The GPS came with most lakes identified and the major highways and cities. Bought the chip and now i have every road- country and city, every lake access etc.

For me this was perfect. I wasn't willing to spend $800.

My dad on the otherhand, got rid of his GPS and upgraded to Garmin's newest touchscreen. Man is that nice! So, Moral is: You can get by spending 200-250 but as the price goes up, you get more!

[EyeGuide]

I recommend an H2O, if you have a Lowrance GPS/Sorar unit or plan to get one for you boat. They will have the same buttons and menus. This will make operation and backing up waypoints very easy.

[shnelson]

Check out the Garmin Rino 520hcx or 530hcx. I picked up the 530 for about $300 after rebate, and couldn't be happier. Built in weather radio, 2 way radio and you can poll other user's that are operating one for their location/routes.

You'll have to buy the topo/lakemaps seperate, but I picked up both and use a 4gb card to store all the data on. (I think it will set you back about $150 for both full software suites).

[hunterfisher]

you said that most lakes are "identified" does that mean no depth info is shown? without the chip from cabelas how much lake info did it give you - topo, just a regular road map? did it include Mille Lacs or LOW. I heard you had to get those separate? with the Minnesota chip does it give you Mille lacs info? and to what detail, depth, rock, sand etc.

[hunterfisher]

the other question I forgot to ask was is the only difference between a Lowrance H20 and a Lowrance H20c is that the c is color? The c is about $100 more, is it worth it?

[Schloogs]

you said that most lakes are "identified" does that mean no depth info is shown? without the chip from cabelas how much lake info did it give you - topo, just a regular road map? did it include Mille Lacs or LOW. I heard you had to get those separate? with the Minnesota chip does it give you Mille lacs info? and to what detail, depth, rock, sand etc.

The unit by itself will give you major highways and not much else. You would need to purchase a chip (Lakemaster or Navionics) and these will have the lakes (yes, mille lacs included) on them. With the Lakemaster chip you will also receive a road map of the state and also has all WMA locations throughout the state. Great chip in my opinion.

[MNfishtrapper]

This is a quite long response but will be helpfull. Read when you have a minute to spare.

Here's a tip. Instead of getting the Lowrance Ifinder H2O get the Lowrance Ifinder Expedition C. I know, all "the best" fishermen have the H20 and claim's thats "The Best". Here's the scoop. If you hunt, fish and otherwise spend alot of time outdoors I suggest the Epedition C. Functionally, they are essentially the same unit other than the fact that the H2O is a cute light blue color and the Expedition, in my opinion, is a much more appealing plain black. You may also consider the same unit in camo called the Ifinder Hunt. But I wont talk about that here. It's much like the H2O hut tailored more for hunting.

What the Expedition C has that the H20 doesn't is a digital magnetic compass. This means that the unit will tell you which direction your pointing regardless of the unit detecting movement or having sattelite reception. I use it ALOT. It works just like a pocket compass that you probably carry when your in the field. What the H2O includes that the Expedition C does not have is more of a variety of fishing related selectable icons used for marking waypoints. Where as the Expedition C has a larger variety of land(hunting, hiking, climbing) related icons. Both have many of the same icons though. Enough for what you'll ever need. The H2O may have the capability to save slightly more waypoints as well but dont worry about it. It's in the thousands!! Here's the best part. The Expedition C will cost you about 50 dollars less than the H20. Why?, because most people think the only "real" GPS is the H2O. You may not find it at the typical sporting stores (perhaps by order). I bought mine new and in the package from an [YouNeedAuthorization] store for about 240 dollars. You'll find them there if you do an [YouNeedAuthorization] search. I'm really happy with it. The only improvement I suggest Lowrance make for all of the Ifinder series is a rechargable battery pack for it. It will eat through a couple lithium batteries after a reasonable amount of time especially when the backlight is on (which needs to be on most of the time to see the color screen). When in the vehicle/ boat you may plug it into a cigarette lighter socket to save your batteries.

As with map software, for fishing I suggest Lakemaster of course. But don't rush out to buy the chip rite now. There's some considerations before making a final decision. One is that the 2009 version will be in stores soon. I know Gander Mntn in Eden Prairie is out of 2008 Lakemaster cards and should be getting 2009 chips soon. The Lakemaster software is good for great detail on most lakes and exceptional on a select few. Mille Lacs being one. Lakemaster also has many land surface features as well. Public Hunting lands, trails, parks ect. I don't believe topography is included. If you decide to get the Lakemaster software for your Ifinder (or other unit that accepts an SD card) you'll need to buy one that covers a particular state. I assume you'll be picking Minnesota but others are available. If you buy this software you will get 1 SD card. DO NOT try to make a copy of it as I understand that that will disable your card renderring all of the data lost. You can buy the Lakemaster software for about 100 dollars.

Ok, another option that I greatly suggest, if you want an "all terrain" application is to consider Lowrances "Map Create" software. The advantage here is that you gain an incredible amount of land navigation data and good water navigation data. If you hunt, you'll love the data this software provides. If you fish, you'll be pleased with it, at least until you pitch for a Lakemaster chip too. Having both covers you 360 degrees. The awsome thing about Map Create is that with the software pack you get, you have the ability to select geographic locations around the country to save to one of 5 permitted SD cards to use. Remember, with Lakemaster you get one and one only. Upon selecting the location that you want from your computer software, you'll chose the map layers you want. IE- lake depth charts, roads, parks, topographical detail ect. The lakes included with the Lake depth charts will be the exact same lakes included with Lakemaster but with less detail. Most Lakemaaster depth charts depicted depths are in increments of 2 feet. Map create lake data depths are in inrements of 5 feet, which can make a difference when finding a specific location on a lake.

So, to sum up my suggestion to you I first recommend doing your research on whats best for you. There are many different choices for one who is looking for GPS/GPS software products and remember that the 2009 Lakemaster package will be out soon if not now. It sounds like you fish and hunt like me, so go with the Lowrance Ifinder C. Forget the Ifinder H2O. That thing gets way too much hype for being 50 dollars more with no real advantage. I like to be in my bow stand and duck blind with my dark black Ifinder as opposed to a cute baby blue H2O anyways. It's like the difference between Walley and Sauger. Everyone talks about Walleys but I haven't met a fishermen that wouldn't want to hook into a trophy Sauger on any day. And they taste the same too! As with map software if you fish more get the Lakemaster chip. If you do the same amount of hunting as fishing take your pick between Lakemaster or Map Create. You may, in this case want both eventually, but start with Map create. If you do more hunting choose Map Create. If you hunt and fish around the region or country and not just Minnesota, chose Map Create. I should mention that many sportsmen in the twin cities hunt and fish in both MN and WI. Both Software packs are made specially for Lowrance units and cost the same price. Hope I can help!

~Jeff

If you'd like to know more let me know by posting a reply.

[MNfishtrapper]

Apparently this forum blocks the name of a VERY commonly used HSOforum that is used for purchasing merchandise mostly by bid online. Think of the first one that comes to mind and you've got it!

[hunterfisher]

Thanks for the great info!!!!!

I will have to take a look at the expidition c. I think that I will go with the lakemaster for now and get the map create in spring when my scouting for hunting will begin.

Thanks again.

[MNfishtrapper]

Sounds like a great plan! I think you'll be happy with Lakemasters. Some guys have talked about some GPS units that I'm not as familiar with. Take a look at those too. I do like the newer Garmins. Another one that I've looked at that I didn't mention before is the Bushnell Onyx 400. Whats cool about this unit is that it's thin. Like, thin enough to put in your pocket. Just a little wide. It also has a bigger screen than most. It has a sattelite radio reciever so if you get a XM or Serius sattelite radio account you'll have radio to listen to on your GPS. The greatest thing is that the unit offers an overlay of arial photo's and current dopplar weather radar! I thought that was awsome! But, as a fisherman, it's all but worthless in my opinion. No lake data and the base map for roads and such is defficient in my opinion. A sweet unit for exploring the wilderness away from roads though. I think we'll just give Bushnell a couple years to really get their GPS technology off the ground. It might turn into something really cool.

[MNfishtrapper]

I should also mention that if you like a GPS naviagation system in your car consider the Lowrance XOG. I have one of those too. I keep it in my truck. The great thing about the XOG is that it's made as a sort of cross-over unit. Meaning, you can use it for turn by turn road nav (like tom tom ect.) or select a different function for point to point nav (like the Ifinder handhels units) It accepts an SD card and works exactly like a ifinder does with most of the same function. It's touch screen which is neat, but is considered "weatherproof" instead of "waterproof" as with the Ifinder. Another drawback is that the XOG does not have WAAS capability. WAAS(Wide Area Augmentation System) improves the accuracy of a GPS unit by employing a ground based station which continually checks and makes proper adjustments to the data your GPS recieves then processes from the sattelites, improving accuracy to within inches instead of feet. I've also noticed that my XOG takes longer to establish communication with sattelietes among other minor glitches that can be annoying. The XOG does have an internal rechargable battery, but it's limited to about 3 hours life topps when not plugged in to your cigarette lighter via a USB power cable. I bought mine rite when it came out. Maybe they've improved the design since. This unit stays in my truck though. When in the field I carry my Ifinder.

Also I should mention that the Expedition C includes a pressure sensative barometer. I don't believe the H2O has a barometer. I may be wrong.

[Northland Sportsman]

I just got a new garmin colorado that is in your price range, look around on the web and find some really good deals. I got mine cheaper then the h2oc and can take the lakemaster chip or the garmin inland lakes chip. I ordered the inland lakes as it covers a bunch of surrounding states. I have not received it yet but will try to post when I do. So far the unit has been great and is much easier to use then the h20. I am one that is not convinced that the h2o is the greatest thing out there.